Table

ABSTRACT

A table construction particularly designed for use with chairs having side arms, such as commonly used by invalids, the aged and hospital patients. The table includes a table top having a major portion with dimensions somewhat greater then the spacing between the side arms of the chair and a minor portion with dimensions such as to allow the same to be projected between the side arms of the chair to thereby locate such table top portion over the legs of the individual in the chair.

United States Patent [191 Thomas TABLE [76] Inventor: Morton I. Thomas, 125 South St.,

Monroe, NY. 07055 [22] Filed: Aug. 9, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 386,866

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 272,050, July 14, 1972.

[52] US. Cl. 108/161, 108/43 [51] Int. Cl A47b 13/00 [58] Field of Search 297/135, 148, 157, 170,

297/171, 174, 390, 136; 108/43, 50, 161, 59, 64, 119, 120; 273/136 R, 136 H, 136 Z [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,049,] 14 7/1936 Gallamore 108/25 X [451 Oct. 22, 1974 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 603,085 4/1926 France 108/94 Primary Examinerlames C. Mitchell Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Philip G. Hilbert 5 7 ABSTRACT A table constructionparticularly designed for use with chairs having side arms, such as commonly used by invalids, the aged and hospital patients The table includes a table top having a majorportion with .dimensions somewhat greater then the spacing between the sidearrns of the chair and a minor portion with dimensions such as to allow the same to be projected between the side arms of the chair to thereby locate such table top portion over the legs of the individual in the chair.

1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures 1 TABLE This is a division of application Ser. No. 272.050, filed July 14, I972.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Small tables are conventionally used with wheel chairs and other chairs having side arms for the aged, invalids and hospital patient for feeding the occupants of such chairs. However, such known tables are of rectangular shape and dimensions greater than the spacing between the side arms of the chairs. Accordingly, in use, the inner edge of the table abuts the outer-ends of the side arms of the chair since the table top and the side arms of the chair are substantially colevel.

With such disposition of the table relative to the chair, there is space of varying dimensions between the inner edge of the table top and the abdomen of the occupant of the chair. This leads to spillage of food and the like, as well locating the food, utensils and the like somewhat remotely from the occupant of the chair.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide an improved table construction for use with chairs having side arms, wherein the table top thereof includes at least one portion of such dimensions as will allow the same to be disposed between the side arms of the chair to thereby locate such table top portion in close proximity to the abdomen of the occupant of the chair.

Another object of this invention is to provide a table construction for use with wheel chairs having side arms, and including a table top having a tongue portion projecting from a peripheral portion of the major portion of the table top; such tongue portion being receivable between the side arms of the chair.

A further object of this invention is to provide a table of the character described, which includes a central portion and a plurality of tongue portions projecting from respective portions of the central portion, whereby a'plurality of chairs having side arms may be located around the periphery of the table top with the tongue portions thereof receivable between the arms of I the associated chairs.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious I and in part hereinafter pointed out.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, 10 designates a conventional wheel chair such as those used for invalids, the aged, and hospital patients generally. Such chair 10 comprises the usual side frames generally indicated at 11, back frame 12, side arms 13, seat 14 and wheels 15.

A table construction T embodying the invention, is adapted to be used with chair 10, as when the occupant of chair 10 is to be fed. The table T comprises a top 16 which is of rectangular shape with a,forward edge 17 2 and side edges 18. The spacing between side edges 18 is somewhat greater then the spacing between the side arms 13 of chair 10.

Table top 16 further includes a rear edge 19 from which projects a tongue portion 20 of rectangular shape. Tongue portion 20 includes a rear edge 21 and side edges 22 which have a spacing somewhat less than the spacing between the side arms 13 of chair 10. Tongue portion 20 is symmetrically related to table top 16.

It will be apparent that table T may be located with respect to chair 10 so as to dispose tongue portion 20 between the side arms of chair 10 and inwardly of the outer ends of said side arms 13. Thus, table T presents a top portion closer to the abdomen of the occupant of the chair 10, thereby facilitating feeding such occupant.

Foldable leg means 23 is mounted on the underside of table top 16. Such leg means 23 comprises a pair of inverted U-shaped members 24, 25 which are interpivoted as at 26. The bight portion 27 of member 24 is swivelly mounted on the underside of table top portion 16 by brackets 28. The bight portion 29 of member 25 is releasably gripped by clips 30 on the underside of table top portion 16. The legs 31 of member 24 are ionger than the legs 32 of member 25; thereby locating the bottom ends of legs 31 in alignment with tongue portion 20 of table top 16, to assure stability of table construction I.

Another embodiment of the novel table construction is shown in FIGS. 4, 5. Here the table top generally indicated at 40 comprises a relatively large central portion 41 which is of generally rectangular shape, with side edges 42 and end edges 43. A series of tongue portions integral with central portion 41 project from edges 42, 43 thereof; as at 44, 45, 46 and 47. Such tongue portions 44-47 are symmetrically related to edges 42, 43. Conventional leg means generally indicated at 50, is mounted on the underside of table top portion 41. Such leg means may be fixed, as shown; or may be of the collapsible type.

It willbe apparent that with tongue portions 44-47 of a transverse dimension somewhat less than the spacing between the side arms 13 of chairs 10; the several chairs l0 may be brought into operative relation to table top 40 with the tongue portions 44-47 disposed between side arms 13 of the chairs. Thus, such tongue portions 44-47 may be brought closer to the abdomens of the occupants of chairs 10 to facilitate feeding and the like.

It is understood that leg means of the table constructions embodying the instant invention are adapted to locate the table tops thereof substantially colevel with the side arms 13 of the chairs 10.

I claim:

1. For use with a chair having side arms with a predetermined lateral spacing therebetween, a table comprising a table top and leg means mounted on the underside of said table top, said table top comprising a first portion having a width greater then the spacing between said side arms and for location adjacent and across the chair immediately forward of the outer ends of the side arms, a second portion integral with said first portion and having a width somewhat less then the spacing between said side arms locatable between the side armsof said chair for projecting inwardly of the outer ends of said side arms for disposition adjacent the abdomen of the user. 

1. For use with a chair having side arms with a predetermined lateral spacing therebetween, a table comprising a table top and leg means mounted on the underside of said table top, said table top comprising a first portion having a width greater then the spacing between said side arms and for location adjacent and across the chair immediately forward of the outer ends of the side arms, a second portion integral with said first portion and having a width somewhat less then the spacing between said side arms of said chair for projecting inwardly of the outer ends of said side arms for disposition adjacent the abdomen of the user. 